Author
Topic: Proposed forum rules (Read 5843 times)

Danielk wanted me to post these to the forum for discussion. So, post what you think of them. Should anything be taken out? Added? Do you think we don't need the rules?

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They seem very proscriptive and prescriptive to me, and very long winded - would suggest that people will not read all of it.

Can I suggest that each of the sections are heavily summarised to the key point, and the rest of the text referred to at the bottom like appendicies, kind of an exec summary. So that you can read through the general themes quickly and go to the detail at the bottom if you need to. This might make it more accessible.

Some of it seems very detailed on fairly minor points, that lessens the impact of the important stuff. For instance, outlawing "I agree" posts compared with disallowing abuse and flaming...

Other than that, I think its good that we are setting some guidelines to weed out the unnecessary/unproductive behaviour. I think it should be complemented by a guide on what data to include when posting questions to avoid annoying teasing out of "my system doesn't work", "what is wrong?", "it doesn't play stuff", "what stuff? What does it do?", etc... Perhaps not as long or high-handed as Zaerc's How to Ask Smart Questions, but something similar....

i will try to rewrite this during the week to cut it down. this is more like a public draft for people to look at. i just wanted to get it up since daniel asked me to do it so long ago and it took me longer than i had anticipated.

I agree the rules for the most part are good. They need to be summarized as mentioned above, because even though I wanted to read them, I just couldn't make myself read anymore after the first 15-20 lines. I also think that chit chat on the forum is good, that is what helps build community.

I agree the number 1 rule should be "Search before you post." Many people get annoyed answering the same questions over and over. However, there are questions that need to be asked again as the project changes and as technology changes, such as "Which motherboard?" The answers to this question 9 months ago may not be relevant as the motherboards suggested back then may not be produced now.

I think this project is progressing nicely, and the more new users we can welcome, the faster it can grow. The forums are usually the first contact new people have with the people involved in LinuxMCE. How the forum is handled can mean the difference in whether people stay and participate, or receive a cold shoulder and leave before they learn enough to contribute.

well the rules were mostly what i had seen from other forums. i just took waht they had an compiled a big list. all the rules arent even applicable to us. i took some out before i posted, but then i gave in and just put the whole thing up and everyone else can decide what should go. if anyone would like to bullet/summarize the ones that are up you are more than welcome to. i probably wouldnt get to it til this weekend. to be honest ...some of those rules i wouldnt even be for. the world needs a little profanity now and then to keep it goin. right?